The Messolonghi Lagoons complex, classified as a national park, is not only one the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean, protected by the Ramsar Convention and included in the Natura 2000 network, but also one of the richest natural fish production centers of the country which is formed between the deltas of the Acheloos and Evinos rivers. The site is important for breeding, staging and wintering waterbirds and exhibits a considerable degree of endemism in plant and fish species. Wintering birds include the globally threatened Pelecanus crispus. Messolonghi Lagoon is a favourite birding destination all year round.
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Mesolongi (Messolonghi), Greece Monterrasol private car tours to
Argos - Known for ancient settlement, ancient theatre, archaeological site, castle, orthodox cathedral; archaeological site is a UNESCO Tentative List Site
Arta - Known for bridge, byzantine empire, castle, museum, orthodox cathedral
Athens - Known for archaeological site, museum; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Chalkida - Known for beach, castle, coastal town, marina, museum, viewpoint
Corinth - Known for ancient theatre, archaeological site, beach, bridge, coastal town, fortress, landmark, viewpoint
Delphi - Known for ancient theatre, archaeological site, museum; archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Volos - Known for ancient settlement, archaeological site, beach, coastal town, marina, museum, nature, seaport
Western Thrace - Known for beach, forest, lake, landmark, nature, park, river
Last updated on: 30 March 2020
Mesolongi (Messolonghi) description
Messolonghi is a beautiful and serene town located on the western side of Greece. Stretching around an impressive sea lake dotted with tiny fishermen houses, Messolonghi has charm in abundance!
Although it is surrounded by beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural landscapes, Messolonghi is still untouched by mass tourism, so it is perfect for relaxing holidays! Messolonghi is a popular destination for families with kids and couples.
According to predominant historical opinion, its name came from the combination of two Italian words, mezzo and laghi which means "in the middle of lakes" or messo and laghi (Messolaghi) which means "a place surrounded by lakes". Its inhabitants, mostly fishermen, lived in cabins which were made of a kind of waterproof straw and reed and stood on stilts above sea water. These cabins or stilt-houses have always been called "pelades".
North-west of Messolonghi are the remains of Pleuron (Plevrona), a town mentioned in Homer's works. It participated in the Trojan expedition and was destroyed in 234 BC. The new town, which was built on the remains of old Pleuron, was one of the most important towns in the area. Its monumental fortification comprised thirty towers and seven gates. The remains of the theater and an enormous water tank with four compartments still exist.
The Missolonghi-Aitoliko lagoons complex is located in the north part of the Gulf of Patras in the central west coast of Greece. It is one of the most important Mediterranean lagoons. It is a shallow area of 150 km2, extended between the Acheloos and Evinos rivers. It is protected by the Ramsar Convention and it is also included in the Natura 2000 network.
Messolonghi is perfect for birdwatching: lots of summer visitors along with very interesting resident birds can be easily seen in the lagoons but also in the surrounding area.
The lagoons are home to, among others, the endangered Dalmatian Pelican, the elegant Avocet, the elusive Stone Curlew and the buyoant Collared Pratincole. There are also very interesting birds of prey in the surroundings; the gorge of Kleisoura, north of the lagoons, provides shelter to the Griffon Vulture.
The National Park of Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoons is an extensive complex of brackish coastal lagoons, mudflats, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, reedbeds, dune systems and patches of riparian forest formed within the double delta of two rivers.
The lagoons keep a wide biodiversity. Birds find shelter, and incubate in it, thanks to the safe shallow waters of the lagoon, they find ample food from the fish that live and reproduce in it, while in it’s ecosystem reptiles and mammals are found.
During the Orlov Revolt in 1770 the fleet of Messolonghi was defeated and the town passed to the Ottomans. Messolonghi revolted on 20 May 1821 and was a major stronghold of the Greek rebels in the Greek War of Independence, being the seat of the Senate of Western Continental Greece. Its inhabitants successfully resisted a siege by Ottoman forces in 1822. The second siege started on 15 April 1825 by Reşid Mehmed Pasha whose army numbered 30,000 men and was later reinforced by another 10,000 men led by Ibrahim Pasha, son of Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt. After a year of relentless enemy attacks and facing starvation, the people of Messolonghi decided to leave the beleaguered city in the "Exodus of its Guards" (The Sortie) on the night of 10 April 1826. At the time, there were 10,500 people in Messolonghi, 3,500 of whom were armed. Very few people survived the Ottoman pincer movement after the betrayal of their plan.
Due to the heroic stance of the population and the subsequent massacre of its inhabitants by the Turkish-Egyptian forces, the town of Messolonghi received the honorary title of Hiera Polis (the Sacred City), unique among other Greek cities.
The famous British poet Lord Byron, who supported the Greek struggle for independence, died in Messolonghi in 1824. Lord Byron is commemorated by a cenotaph, containing his heart, and a statue located in the town.
Mesolongi (Messolonghi) related tours
We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Mesolongi (Messolonghi) during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Mesolongi (Messolonghi).
We have developed several tours that visiting this beautiful place. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.
Discover Greece from Igoumenitsa: round trip via Parga, Delphi, Meteora. Ancient towns, beaches, castles and monasteries. See Parga castle and enjoy Parga beach, walk in Arta museum, refresh in Mesolongi beach, take image of Antirrio bridge, climb on walls of Nafpaktos fortress and swim down on the beach, visit UNESCO sites Delphi and Hosios Loukas monastery, walk in medieval old town Livadeia, say hello to Leonidas in Thermopylae, wonder on Meteora monasteries and return back via Ioannina with ancient castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List sites.
This 9 days (8 nights) tour covers the most important archaeological sites, monasteries and UNESCO sites of Greece mainland. See Parga castle and enjoy Parga beach, walk in Arta museum, enjoy unique Mesolongi wetland formation, take image of beautiful Antirrio bridge, climb on walls of Nafpaktos fortress and enjoy after crystal clear sea water and sandy beach, visit UNESCO archaeological site Delphi and UNESCO Hosios Loukas monastery, walk in medieval old town Livadeia, say hello to king Leonidas in Thermopylae, wonder on UNESCO Meteora monasteries, visit UNESCO archaeological site Aegae, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
Greece discovery 11 days (10 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through ancient towns, beaches, castles and monasteries, and some places are on UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in Ancient Corinth, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, walk the passages of medieval town Livadeia and visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, stay in ancient theater of Larissa, visit UNESCO archaeological site Aegae, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland discovery 13 days (12 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through castles and fortresses, beaches, ancient towns and monasteries. Some of visited places are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and some on the UNESCO Tentative List. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, explore old Messene, visit Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
Welcome to Greece off the beaten path 14 days tour from Athens. We going to visit less touristy areas of central Greece and understand Greek's national character. This tour will bring you to ancient theaters not included in tourist catalogs and beaches visit mostly by locals. Together with that we will visit few UNESCO sites, castles and fortresses, and monasteries.
This off-season tour is for people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit main UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the main UNESCO places in one tour.
In this tour we will travel 15 days by Adriatic coast of Montenegro and Albania, and discover Greece mainland and Peloponnese. Meet during the tour ancient monasteries and castles, enjoy amazing beaches, touch stones of old places in 3 countries.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland discovery 16 days (15 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through castles and fortresses, beaches, ancient towns and monasteries. Some of visited places are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and some on the UNESCO Tentative List. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, explore old Messene, visit Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
This 18 days tour will allow you to meet amazing south Balkans countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and of course beautiful Greece. We will pass through medieval fortified towns, old venetian coastal towns, old castles and fortresses, Orthodox monasteries, archaeological sites, and amazing Balkans coastal line. Each country we going to visit will show must-see attraction; many sites we going to will visit are UNESCO Heritage sites. At season time we will stop on beaches to take a rest, to refresh and enjoy the crystal clear water.
This off-season 19 days (18 nights) tour covers several important UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Greece mainland and south Albania. Together with that will also visited numerous UNESCO Tentative List sites. Come to see beautiful Mediterranean land and visit stunning sites in the off-peak months!
During the tour here is plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Both Greece and Albania is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland off-season discovery 19 days (18 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through places that on UNESCO World Heritage list and on the UNESCO Tentative List. We will visit ancient towns and monasteries, castles and fortresses, beaches and mountain towns.
The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, walk the steps of old fortresses in Pylos and Methoni, explore archaeological site Messene, visit famous Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, walk over Aegae archaeological place, and on the way back see mountain town Metsovo with famous winery, ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This off-season tour will allow you to visit not only some of Greece's eighteen UNESCO World Heritage sites but also some of the country's fourteen sites in the UNESCO tentative list, together with other top destinations across this beautiful Mediterranean land. Come and visit this stunning country in the off-peak months! You will quickly understand why Greece is much more than just a perfect summer destination. Greece is a truly year-round destination!
It boasts plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Greece is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
Explore 5 Balkans countries Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece in 21 days cultural tour from Zagreb to Athens. Discover Adriatic coast of Croatia; venetian towns of Dalmatian rivier; medieval towns of Montenegro; famous Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia, Montenegro and Greece; archaeological places in Albania and Greece; medieval fortresses of Croatia, Albania and Greece; UNESCO sites of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece.
This off-season 22 days (21 nights) tour covers the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Greece mainland and all UNESCO World Heritage sites of Albania. Thw tour is also allow to visit many UNESCO Tentative List sites. Come to see beautiful Mediterranean land and visit stunning sites in the off-peak months!
During the tour here is plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Both Greece and Albania is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
This extended 24 days cultural and panoramic tour from Dubrovnik to Athens will allow you to explore amazing South Balkans countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and of course beautiful Greece. We will pass through medieval fortified towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece, old venetian coastal towns in Montenegro, Albania and Greece, old castles and fortresses om each country, Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece, famous archaeological sites in Greece, and amazing Balkans coastal line with beaches and crystal clear sea.
Each country we going to visit will show must-see attraction; many sites we going to will visit are UNESCO Heritage sites. At season time we will stop on beaches to take a rest, to refresh and enjoy the unbelievable clear water.
This off-season 24 days tour is interesting for people who would like to touch the history of Greece through visit few UNESCO Word Heritage sites, few UNESCO tentative list sites, and some of non-touristy places, all located in Central Greece. With this tour you will walk ancient historical places where are roots of the culture of our civilization. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of Central Greece UNESCO places in one tour.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
Off-season discovery 26 days (25 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa around Peloponnese and Greece mainland. The tour is focused on UNESCO World Heritage list sites and on the UNESCO Tentative List sites. We will visit castles and fortresses, ancient towns and monasteries, beaches and mountain towns.
The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in ancient city Nicopolis (UNESCO Tentative List), we will enjoy Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch the statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type between towns Rio and Antirrio, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage), walk the steps of old fortresses in Pylos and Methoni, explore archaeological site Messene (UNESCO Tentative List), visit famous Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras (UNESCO World Heritage), touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle (UNESCO World Heritage) and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, walk over Aegae archaeological place (UNESCO World Heritage), and on the way back see mountain town Metsovo with famous winery, ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
The off-season tour 26 days tour started in Athens cover most of UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites in 2 countries, Greece and Albania. Additionally, the tour cover several places in Greece that submitted to the UNESCO tentative list.
Visiting UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites in Greece.
This off-season tour will allow you to visit not only some of Greece's eighteen UNESCO World Heritage sites but also some of the country's fourteen sites in the UNESCO tentative list, together with other top destinations across this beautiful Mediterranean land. Come and visit this stunning country in the off-peak months! You will quickly understand why Greece is much more than just a perfect summer destination. Greece is a truly year-round destination!
It boasts plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Greece is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
This off-season tour is focused on people who would like to get to know deeply the history of Greece and walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. Around the world such places are on the list of UNESCO. And many other places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
During this tour we going to visit most of UNESCO places and UNESCO tentative list places, located in Greece mainland. Greece is so rich with history that visit all UNESCO places in one tour will take very long time. Because of that we, Monterrasol Travel, created this tour to be able to visit the most of UNESCO places in one tour.
March 28, 2021 Stobi, Macedonia. Stobi, the biggest city from the antique period in this part of Macedonia, only 80km south from the the capital Skopje, is a place that links the Mediterranean to the continental Balkan hinterlands, shrouded by the mythical rivers of Axios and Erigon, along which countless Roman legions, Crusading cavalries, Ottoman conquerors and World War armies had marched. Today, this region represents the midpoint where the Old and the New World of wine meet.
February 13, 2021 Kraljeva Sutjeska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kraljeva Sutjeska is a village in the municipality of Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, almost at the middle of Bosnia and Herzegovina territory.
The village hosts a number of important historical sites: 14th century Catholic Franciscan monastery, ruins of the medieval Bosnian Court, an old Bosnian house with the original architecture from the 18th century, and mosque from 15th century, claimed to be the oldest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, very close to the village is located Bobovac, a fortified city of medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina.
January 30, 2021 Ohrid, Macedonia. Ohrid is a city in the country with modern name North Macedonia (before it called just Macedonia). Ohrid once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem of the Balkans". The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are Cultural as well as Natural sites.
January 22, 2021 Szigliget, Hungary. The ruins of the medieval recently restored fortress stand atop the 239m Várhegy hill.
January 7, 2021 Berat, Albania. Berat is the ninth largest city by population of the Republic of Albania. Berat, UNESCO World Heritage Site from 2008, comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Like many cities in Albania, Berat comprises an old fortified city filled with churches and mosques painted with grandiose wealth of visible murals and frescos. Berat is one of the main cultural centers of the country.
